Buffalo NY vs Thornton CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Thornton
34.3
Tie
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 142,878 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.3 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 45.4% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 32.9% | 2.2% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 5.8% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,653 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $505,085 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 512 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3234 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.2% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.4% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 32.8 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Thornton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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